Penguins Recall Defenseman Simon Despres from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defenseman Simon Despres from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, it was announced by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Despres, 20, appeared in 18 regular-season games this season for Pittsburgh, tallying four points (1G-3A) and a plus-5 rating while averaging 14:13 minutes per game. He will be looking to make his NHL playoff debut in Game 4.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound native of Laval, Quebec also appeared in 44 regular-season games this year for WBS, notching five goals, 10 assists and 15 points. Pittsburgh’s first-round draft pick (30th overall) in 2009, Despres was voted as a starter for the AHL All-Star Classic in Atlantic City, N.J. in January, but he had to miss the game due to injury.